Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding applying for a hackney licence. [28737/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The regulation of the taxi industry, including matters related to the SPSV skills development programme, which involves both industry knowledge and area knowledge tests, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003. I have referred the matter raised by the Deputy to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within ten working days, please contact my Office.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 546: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 29 September 2011, if he will clarify the reason the National Transport Authority revoked the nine year rule only for those who had applied for their first vehicle licence prior to 1 January 2009; the reason those holding their first licence after this date are treated differently with regard to vehicles of nine years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28744/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The regulation of the taxi industry, including the decision taken on the nine year rule, is a matter for the National Transport Authority under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003. I have forwarded the deputy's request to the NTA for direct reply. Please contact my office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

The NTA are currently carrying out a review of vehicle standards particularly with regard to older vehicles and are examining what alternative measures will be put in place to ensure an appropriate quality of vehicle for consumers and operators. I should add that the conclusions of the vehicle standards review, when finalised by the NTA, will also be considered by the taxi regulation review steering group that I am chairing.